CEBU, Philippines — Legitimate jeepney franchise holders in the country have until December 15, 2018 to claim their Pantawid Pasada fuel cards after the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board has extended the period of distribution for this year.

The extension gives ample time for representatives of franchise holders to comply and submit documentary requirements for claiming of the fuel cards.

LTFRB-7 regional director Eduardo Montealto said that as of yesterday, about 50 percent of the 5,354 Pasada Cards intended for Central Visayas were claimed.

The Pantawid Pasada Program provides fuel vouchers in the form of cash cards to qualified franchise holders of jeepneys as one of the government’s flagship social mitigation measures.

The subsidy, amounting to P5,000, is funded by the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law.

The government has allocated a budget of P977 million for this year's implementation of the said program.

It ensures that all qualified beneficiaries get timely assistance to mitigate the effects of the excise tax on fuel and the volatility of fuel prices in the world market.

The program is expected to cover approximately 180,000 qualified franchise holders nationwide.

After three months and several challenges in distribution, more than 66,000 cards have already been distributed to beneficiaries around the country.

In the last two weeks, the LTFRB has started accepting Special Power of Attorney (SPAs), along with other documents, for beneficiaries who cannot personally claim their cards.

The acceptance of SPAs resulted in significant increase in the number of claimants.

LTFRB urges all qualified franchise holders of PUJs to get their fuel cards the soonest to avail of the fuel subsidy for 2018.

Earlier, DOTr and LTFRB said that the government will be distributing P3.5 billion worth of Pantawid Pasada Fuel Cards by next year.

LTFRB chairman Martin Delgra said that from the current P5,000 good as cash loaded in each fuel card, this will be increase to P20,000 each.

DOTr said that the fuel card is only valid for fuel purchases at participating petroleum retail outlets or gasoline stations, with “Pantawid PasadaCard Accepted Here” sign posted.

It added that any violation in the use of the card (purchase of other products aside from fuel using the card) will automatically disqualify the card owner from e PantawidPasada Fuel Program and its benefits.

This program of the government aims to mitigate the impact of the series of oil price increases and higher excise taxes due to the TRAIN Law. (FREEMAN)